Subject Description
If you are concerned about how and where your food comes from or simply want to get the best nutrition possible, growing your own abundance of fruits and vegetables are the way to go. In this comprehensive new course you will learn essential applied permaculture and organic gardening techniques to:

Analyze and optimize the growing conditions in your garden, no matter the size, including container gardens

Creatively collect, use and preserve water for optimal garden health

Use holistic solutions for plant health problems (?pests? and ?diseases?)

Select, plant, maintain and harvest a large variety of food plants for year-round enjoyment

How to propagate plants; save your own seeds; and store your harvest.

This online course engages students with practical and hands-on projects, and is guided by experienced professional organic gardeners. No prior education or gardening experience required.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Analyze and optimize the growing conditions in your garden, no matter the size, including container gardens

Creatively collect, use and preserve water for optimal garden health

Use holistic solutions for plant health problems (“pests” and “diseases”)

Select, plant, maintain and harvest a large variety of food plants for year-round enjoyment

How to propagate plants; save your own seeds; and store your harvest.

Cheating and Plagiarism
Each student should be aware of the College's policy regarding Cheating and Plagiarism. Seneca's Academic Policy will be strictly enforced.

To support academic honesty at Seneca College, all work submitted by students may be reviewed for authenticity and originality, utilizing software tools and third party services. Please visit the Academic Honesty site on http://library.senecacollege.ca for further information regarding cheating and plagiarism policies and procedures.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecacollege.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Disabilities Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Mode of Instruction
This course will be delivered via the internet. This involves the use of the online materials and/or text, possible group discussions and consultation with your instructor via the online course platform. Students will be responsible for completing all online activities and participating in group discussions and working through textbook readings, quizzes, assignments, as required.

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class on which they are due.

A late penalty of 10% per day is assessed for late assignments, including those not handed in at the beginning of class when due.

Material will not be accepted after one week following the due date and/or when the marked material is returned to students, whichever comes first.

Assignments are to be prepared by computer.

Absenteeism and Exams/Tests

Students should be aware that absenteeism almost guarantees an inability to achieve satisfactory grades.

Students who are absent for an examination due to an emergency (e.g., motor vehicle accident, hospitalization or death in the family) may provide official documentation within five days of the missed exam and be provided a deferred exam at a later date. Official documentation includes a death notice or an original doctor’s certificate identifying the date, length of time expected absence and the specific reason for the absence. Examinations missed without official documentation and approval result in a grade of zero.

There are no deferred options for missed tests. The value of missed tests, at the discretion of the Faculty, will be added to other evaluation components.

English Proficiency

All written work should demonstrate the following characteristics for clarity and conciseness:

-writing is consistent with the rules of English grammar
-spelling and punctuation are correct
-sentences are structured correctly
-main ideas are supported with specific, relevant examples and reasons
-work flows logically through supporting statements/paragraphs
-work is arranged in correct format (e.g., as a report, essay)
-up to 10% of the final grade may be deducted on all work if the above English competencies are not met.

Format for Assignments

Students must use the standard, APA style for quoting sources. Help is available at: http://library.senecacollege.ca

Grading is based on the following marking scheme:

OnlineAssignments and Grading
Detailed assignment pages will be available for each assignment.

Discussion Board Commentaries and Responses (5)

18%

Assignments (3)

36%

Quizzes (10)

21%

Tests (5)

25%

A passing grade in this course requires a total of 100% for all tests (multiple attempts are encouraged) and a minimum of 75% for the total written assignments and a minimum of 75% for the discussion participation. A certificate of completion with a final grading of Excellent (over 90%) or Satisfactory (75 – 89%) will be awarded when the minimum passing grade has been achieved. Below passing grade of 75% constitutes a failing grade (Unsatisfactory).

All the academic policies of the College at which you registered apply. This includes, but is not limited to policies related to grading, supplemental exams, deferred exams and accommodations.

PLEASE RETAIN THIS SUBJECT OUTLINE FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE USE IN SUPPORT OF CREDIT APPLICATIONS AT OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS